Top vehicles coming to 2019 Montreal Auto Show

Montreal Auto Show is finding its groove, with many Canadian debuts and the latest models coming to market next year

A Porsche 911 Turbo S being unveiled at the Montreal Auto Show.Liz Leggett

The 2019 Montreal International Auto Show kicks off Canada’s auto show season on January 18th with approximately 500 brand new vehicles spread across the floors of the Palais des congrès de Montréal — many of which are making their Canadian debuts, and one making its first appearance in North America. Here are some of the must-see new cars coming to this year’s show — and to our roads in the year ahead.

2019 BMW X5 and X7

BMW’s popular mid- and full-size SUVs are all new for 2019 — the X7 an entirely new three-row SUV model for BMW altogether. The fourth-generation 2019 X5 gets optional air suspension on both axles and automatic self-levelling. Buyers get a choice of two more powerful and updated turbo gasoline engines: A 335-horsepower, 3.0-litre inline-six for the xDrive40i, and a 456-horsepower, 4.4L V8 for the xDrive50i. Both work through an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drivetrain. The bigger X7 also gets air suspension, and comes as either an xDrive40i or xDrive50i with standard seating for seven (six with optional middle-row captains seats). The X7 40i features a 335-horsepower, 3.0-litre inline-six, while the 50i gets a 4.4L V8 with 456 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque.

2020 Jeep Gladiator

2020 Jeep GladiatorNadine Filion /
Driving

Hitting store shelves in the second quarter of 2019, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is basically a rugged Wrangler with a useful bed bolted out back. The midsize truck will be powered by either a 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 or FCA’s 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6 later in 2019. Available with 33-inch off-road tires, Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential and an electronic sway-bar disconnect system, the Gladiator will more than compete off road with anything else on the market. Able to tow 3,475 kilograms (7,661 lbs) and carry 725 kg (1,600 lbs) in a five-foot bed, the Gladiator is also highly configurable, offering a fold-down windshield, soft and hard tops, and the ability to remove all four doors.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

2020 Range Rover Evoque

Arriving at dealerships in late spring, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque maintains its distinctive sloped roofline but gains design elements from the more futuristic Velar, most notably the slim LED headlamps. Power comes from an updated turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder in either P250 or P300 strengths. The Evoque P250 nets 246 horsepower, while the P300 gets 296. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission. The P300 comes fitted with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to aid the gas engine.

Lamborghini Urus

2019 Lamborghini UrusJil McIntosh /
Driving

The Urus, Lamborghini’s first ever SUV, is also the world’s fastest, with a top speed of 305 km/h and a zero-to-100 km/h sprint of just 3.6 seconds. How could it not be with a 650-hp 4.0-litre V8 cranking out 627 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels? Sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission, torque is directed mainly to the rear wheels via a permanent four-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Porsche Cayenne eater even gets Ford F-150-like fuel economy at 13.6 L/100 km combined. At $232,000 to start, however, fuel consumption of the Urus is probably the last thing buyers will be concerned about.

2019 Mazda3

2019 Mazda3Derek McNaughton /
Driving

The all new Mazda3 enters its fourth generation packing plenty of punch, from all-wheel drive to a slick new powertrain that goes with new and unique styling. An all-new 2.0-litre Skyactiv-X powertrain uses both spark- and compression-ignition, translating to more efficient use of gasoline with no sacrifice in power, resulting in 178 horsepower and 164 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2019 Mazda3 also brings updated versions of its 1.5L, 2.0L, and 2.5-litre Skyactiv gasoline engines. A six-speed manual or six-speed automatic are available and — for the first time — all-wheel-drive. Non-X cars will arrive early in 2019, followed by the Skyactiv-X.

2020 Genesis G90

2020 Genesis G90 teaserHyundai Korea

First revealed in November in Seoul, South Korea, the 2020 Genesis G90 makes it North American debut in Montreal after a receiving a thorough exterior redesign. As the brand’s flagship luxury sedan, the G90 gets a wider, more defined diamond-shaped grille that nests between aggressively narrow headlamps. In back, taillights stretch across the entire trunk line, while slim exhaust ports mirror the front air intakes. Changes to the interior are minimal, although several controls have been updated to make them more intuitive and simpler to use. Engine options for the new car continue to be a 3.8-litre V6, 5.0-litre V8 or 365-horsepower 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6.

2019 Nissan Altima AWD and refreshed 2019 Murano

2019 NIssan AltimaAndrew McCredie /
Driving

Nissan will present a pair of its most popular models in Montreal, the 2019 Murano and 2019 Altima. The all-new sixth-generation Altima sedan has been restyled to look lower and wider, wearing a new ‘V-Motion’-style grille. Starting at $28,000, the new Altima can also now be ordered with AWD, plus Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPILOT Assist and “Safety Shield 360.” The 2019 Murano SUV, first unveiled in Los Angeles, gets new headlamps, new taillights and wheels, plus the same V-Motion grille as the Altima. A revised interior rounds out the changes for the mid-sized Murano.

2020 Porsche 911

2020 Porsche 911Derek McNaughton /
Driving.ca

Following its world debut in Los Angeles in November, the 2020 Porsche 911, also known as the 992 generation, comes to Montreal as the first of many new 911 versions to arrive over the next few years. A revised 3.0-litre flat six turbocharged engine produces 444 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. The car’s PDK automatic gearbox now has eight speeds while a seven-speed manual continues to be available. The eighth-generation car gets a standard widebody that was previously reserved for the turbo, GTS and 4S. The wider rear hips necessitated a wider front track that should lend for more lateral stability. Out back, a revised fascia houses an LED light bar that runs horizontally across the rear. Inside, a new interior does away with many of the buttons and switches of its predecessor in favour of digital touch controls — except for the centrally located tachometer that mimics the look of tachs from early 911s.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Teaser

The 12th-generation Corolla comes as either a hatchback or sedan, although both ride on the same platform. Entry-level models will be powered by the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder found in the outgoing Corolla, yet the new car gets more horsepower and better fuel economy. Higher trim models get a 168-horsepower, 2.0-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid model is coming. Transmissions include a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic. Inside, a new and slimmer instrument panel features a high-resolution eight-inch touchscreen for the standard Entune 3.0 infotainment on most trim levels (the base L gets a seven-inch touchscreen.) Compared with the previous Corolla, the instrument panel, cowl, hood and beltline height are all lowered to increase visibility and create a more open feel.

2020 Toyota Supra

Toyota Supra teaserTwitter /
Toyota Europe

Toyota would not confirm it, but the 2020 Toyota Supra making its formal debut in Detroit Jan. 14 is also expected to appear in Montreal as well. The 2020 Toyota Supra shares a platform and parts with BMW’s new Z4 and promised to be the most exciting car from Toyota in years. The engine will be sourced from BMW, too, with a 2.0-litre turbo-four producing about 262 horsepower while a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six should be good for at least 335. The 2020 Supra takes inspiration from the Toyota FT-1 concept car seen in 2014 and will undoubtedly be the star of the Montreal show.